For today, a link to a report from the Kyiv Post, Reuters, and Tass, and to commentary from Consortium News; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Zelensky narrowly escapes death in Odesa missile attack, Moscow says drones were target. From Kyiv Post. On Wednesday Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in Odesa. While on a tour of the city, a Russian missile struck near their motorcade. The Russian media dismissed the possibility of an assassination attempt, TASS categorizing it as . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Can’t rule out that Russia targeted Zelenskiy, Greek PM, Ukrainian aide says. From Reuters. It could not be ruled out that a Russian missile strike on Odessa port a day earlier had targeted the delegations of Volodymyr Zelenskiy or Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a top Ukrainian presidential adviser said. The leaders were . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia fighting for sovereignty in Ukraine, North Korea knows it — delegates. From Tass. SIRIUS, Krasnodar Kari, Russia —  “We believe that the events in Ukraine are not just any conflict or war,” Mun Chol, Chairman of the Central Committee of the North Korean Socialist Patriotic Youth League, said this week. “It is . . . READ MORE . . . 

–   –   –

The Russians in Ukraine, by Patrick Lawrence | Special to Consortium News  The Ukraine crisis is merely the latest phase of the West’s long campaign to surround the Russian Federation up to its borders, destabilize it and finally subvert it. Regime change in Moscow was and remains the final objective. This is not a war in defense of “Ukrainian democracy.” It is . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM 

–   –   –

Gaza ceasefire talks at an impasse as humanitarian crisis deepens, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Bassam Masoud | Reuters Hamas stuck to its terms for a ceasefire deal and hostage exchange with Israel today after the United States said truce talks in Cairo were “in the hands of” the Palestinian militant group. Negotiators from Hamas, Qatar and Egypt — but not Israel — are in Cairo trying . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Hostage crisis poses dilemma for Israel and offers a path to victory for Hamas, by Joseph Krauss | AP  Over the last five months, Israel has killed thousands of Hamas fighters, destroyed dozens of their tunnels and wreaked unprecedented destruction on the Gaza Strip. But it still faces a dilemma: It can either . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 5  A mother in Gaza describes losing 14 family members, including her infant twins. Reported by D. Parvaz and Anas Baba | NPR  An Israeli strike in Rafah killed 14 members of the same family, including 5-month old twins, Wissam and Naeem Abu Anza. We hear from the mother of the twins, Rania Abu Anza. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 5  A requiem for Gaza’s iconic sites, destroyed in the war. Reported by Daniel Estrin and Abu Bakr Bashir | NPR Its landmarks showed another face of Gaza, different from the den of misery the world has come to know. For Palestinians, these sites were part of the tangle of threads linking their daily lives to their heritage stretching back thousands of years — an . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

For today, links to reports from Agence France-Press, the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, and the Kyiv Post; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Russia and Ukraine launch overnight drone attacks, by Daria Andriievska | AFP  Ukrainian drones attacked a metal plant in Russia’s border region of Kursk today, causing a fire at a fuel tank, the local governor said. Kyiv meanwhile announced it had intercepted dozens of Russian drones, as both sides launched a wave of overnight aerial . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukrainian attacks increasingly sap the power of Russia’s Black Sea fleet. From AP. Successful Ukrainian drone and missile strikes — the latest in the Black Sea on Tuesday — have provided a major morale boost for Kyiv at a time when its . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukrainian drones strike Russian iron ore plant. From Reuters. MOSCOW —Two Ukrainian drones struck fuel facilities at one of Russia’s largest iron ore plants today, though no one was injured and the plant was working as normal, Russian officials and the plant owner said. Kursk governor Roman Starovoit said . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Kiev loses 500 troops in Avdeyevka area over past day — Russia’s top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Ukrainian military lost roughly 500 troops in battles with Russian forces in the Avdeyevka area near Donetsk over the past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. Units of Russia’s Battlegroup Center . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

First-time use of high-tech French HAMMER bomb by Ukraine, Macron calls for confrontation with Putin, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  Ukrainian airmen used a high-tech French guided bomb called a HAMMER for the first time in Kyiv’s war against the Kremlin, sources on both sides of the fighting lines said on Tuesday. The NATO-standard, precision-guided munition with the full name . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia has never had plans to attack anyone, including NATO — MFA. From Tass. SIRIUS, Krasnodar Kari, Russia — Russia is not planning an attack on anyone, including NATO, nor has it ever harbored such designs, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on the sidelines of the World Youth Festival. In contrast to “the doctrinal documents of NATO,” she said . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM   

–   –   –

NEWER  The latest talks on Gaza have ended with no breakthrough, officials say. Ramadan is days away, by Samy Magdy, Tia Goldenberg and Wafaa Shurafa | AP  CAIRO — Three days of negotiations with Hamas over a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages ended today without a breakthrough, Egyptian officials said, less than a week before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the informal deadline for a deal. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Gaza ceasefire talks extended in Cairo for another day, Hamas says, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Bassam Masoud | Reuters  Hamas negotiators will remain in Cairo for another day at the request of mediators, keeping ceasefire talks going after two days with no breakthrough, an official from the militant group said today. The Cairo talks . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

As Gaza’s hunger crisis worsens, emaciated children seen at hospitals, by Bassam Masoud and Mohammed Salem | Reuters  Acute shortages of food have led to what the United Nations is describing as a nutrition crisis, part of a wider humanitarian catastrophe on the Gaza Strip. Its Health Ministry said on Sunday that 15 children had died of malnutrition or dehydration at Kamal Adwan hospital in . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

U.N. report finds grounds to believe attacks in Israel included rapes. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Becky Sullivan | NPR  The report finds convincing evidence that sexual violence took place during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, and that some Israeli hostages experienced such violence while in captivity in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 4  A look at VP Harris’ meeting with Israeli cabinet member Benny Gantz. Reported by Asma Khalid | NPR  Vice President Harris meets with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz. We look at her Sunday comments on Gaza as well. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 4  Airdropping aid is inefficient—so why is the U.S. doing it anyway? Reported by Linah Mohammad, Elena Burnett and Ari Shapiro | NPR  Ari Shapiro speaks to Refugees International president Jeremy Konyndyk about airdrops, when they work and how oftentimes, they don’t. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 4  A U.N. report finds ‘reasonable grounds to believe’ Oct. 7 attacks in Israel included rapes. Reported by Becky Sullivan and Michele Kelemen | NPR  The long-awaited report additionally found that some Israeli hostages experienced such violence while in captivity in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and read.

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass, and to commentary from Indian Punchline; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Ukraine claims it has sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea using high-tech sea drones, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Ukraine claimed today it has sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea using high-tech sea drones as Kyiv’s forces continue to take aim at targets deep behind the war’s front line. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

France’s Macron urges allies not be a ‘coward’ on Ukraine. From Reuters. PRAGUE — French President Emmanuel Macron today said it was time for Ukraine’s allies to step up, stressing now was not the time to be cowardly. “We . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian military analysts describe scenario for potential attack on Russia. From Tass.  MOSCOW — Russian military analysts have presented their vision of a likely scenario for an attack on Russia by a hypothetical adversary in an article in the magazine Voyennaya Mysl (Military Thought), a publication of the Russian Defense Ministry. Its authors speculate that an attack might begin with a rapid global strike alongside . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Putin’s nuclear warning is direct and explicit, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The spectre of Armageddon has been raised often enough during the 2-year old war in Ukraine that the reference to it in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state of the union address on Feb. 29 had a familiar ring about it. Therein lies the risk of misjudgement. Three things must be noted . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for related article.

For today, links to reports from Reuters and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKAINE entry for this date and a HEINBERG entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM   

–   –   –

Hamas says it presses on with Gaza truce talks without Israelis, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Bassam Masoud | Reuters  CAIRO / RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Hamas said today it was pressing on with talks on securing a ceasefire in Gaza despite Israel’s decision not to attend, while Washington appeared to take a tougher line in demanding its ally Israel ease the plight of suffering civilians. The ceasefire talks . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Kamala Harris’ blunt Gaza words reflect intense government frustration over war, by Jeff Mason | Reuters  U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris bluntly called out Israel on Sunday for not doing enough to ease a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza as the Biden administration faces increasing pressure to rein in its close ally while it wages war with Hamas militants. Speaking in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

As cease-fire talks continue, U.S. airdrops food into Gaza as famine fears grow. Steve Inskeep of NPR speaks with Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, about conditions in Gaza after his recent visit. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Palestinians who settled in Iraq have remained stateless for generations. Reported by Jane Arraf | NPR  There are an estimated six million Palestinian refugees in the diaspora — most of them descendants of families who left 76 years ago during the war when Israel was established. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, and the Kyiv Post; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA entry for this date and a HEINBERG entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Putin ally says Ukraine is ‘definitely Russia’, rules out talks with Zelenskiy. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and an ally of President Vladimir Putin, said today that Ukraine was part of Russia and ruled out peace talks with the current Ukrainian leadership. In a . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian cluster munitions attack in Zaporizhzhia Oblast kills civilian, by Dinara Khalilova | The Kyiv Independent  Russian forces struck the village of Rizdvianka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast with cluster munitions, killing a civilian, Governor Ivan Fedorov said today. Settlements in . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian forces destroy another U.S.-made Abrams tank near Avdeyevka — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Russian forces destroyed another US-made Abrams tank of the Ukrainian army in the Avdeyevka area near Donetsk over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today. Units of Russia’s . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Europe steps in as U.S. dithers: Czechia says more ammo will arrive in weeks, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  The first emergency deliveries of artillery shells bought by EU nations to compensate for the impasse in U.S. military support to Ukraine may reach the front line “within weeks,” a senior official in Prague said. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 2  Russia says Ukraine attacked Crimea with 38 drones. From Reuters. RUSSIAN air defence systems destroyed all 38 drones that Ukraine launched at the Crimean Peninsula early on Sunday, Russia’s defence ministry said, after reports on Ukrainian and Russian social media of powerful explosions in the port of Feodosia. READ MORE . . .

A link to two parts of the Museletter for February from the Post Carbon Institute; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA entry for this date, so far, is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Museletter #371, by Richard Heinberg | Post Carbon Institute February’s Museletter kicks off with “I hear voices,” which takes the form of a self-therapy session on responses to the existential crises facing the world. The second essay, “Is World Population Peaking Now?,” is an interview with scientist and population modeller Chris Bystroff. Click HERE to read both.

For today, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Consortium News, and Common Dreams; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM   

–   –   –

Hamas arrives in Cairo for ceasefire talks with deal ‘on the table’, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Bassam Masoud | Reuters  CAIRO / RAFAH, Gaza Strip — A delegation from Hamas arrived in Cairo today for crunch talks on a Gaza ceasefire, billed as a potential final hurdle towards an agreement that would halt the fighting for six weeks. Washington said a ceasefire deal was already “on the table”, approved by Israel and . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   – 

Hamas says Gaza truce possible ‘within 24 to 48 hours’ if Israel accepts terms. From AFP. A senior Hamas official said today that a ceasefire in Gaza may be secured “within 24 to 48 hours” if Israel accepts the Palestinian group’s demands in ongoing talks. “If . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israel’s wartime Cabinet is rattled by a dispute between Netanyahu and his top political rival, by Tia Goldenberg, Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP  TEL AVIV — A top Israeli Cabinet minister headed to Washington today for talks with U.S. officials, sparking a rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to an Israeli official, in a sign of widening cracks in Israel’s wartime government nearly five months into its war with Hamas. The trip by Benny Gantz, a centrist political rival who joined . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

In North Gaza, a local soup kitchen tries to compensate for hunger amid dwindling aid. Reported by Ayesha Rascoe | NPR  Ayesha Rascoe OF NPR speaks with Hani Almadhoun, director of philanthropy at UNRWA USA, about a soup kitchen his brother recently opened in northern Gaza, where hunger is widespread. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   – 

FROM MARCH 2  Some Minnesota democrats turn primary into a referendum on Gaza. Reported by Clay Masters | NPR  Some Minnesota voters seek to leverage uncommitted votes in the Democratic primary to protest the war in Gaza, similar to Michigan, hoping it will sway President Biden to change course on Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 1  Galloway back in Parliament, declaring duopoly defeated, by Joe Lauria | Consortium News  George Galloway began his victory speech in Rochdale, England, on Friday morning with these words: “Keir Starmer: This is for Gaza.” It was a clear message that he sent the British Labour leader: “You will . . . Click HERE for article and video, and HERE for related CN videos.

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 1  U.S. complicity in Gaza case gets June appeal date, by Jessica Corbett | Common Dreams  As over 100,000 Michiganders signaled to President Joe Biden that they oppose U.S. support for Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, a federal court this week granted a motion to expedite the appeal of a recently dismissed lawsuit against senior U.S. officials including the president. READ MORE . . . 

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 1  Nicaragua hits Germany with ICJ case for aiding Israel in Gaza genocide, by Jessica Corbett | Common Dreams  Nicaragua on Friday launched a case against Germany at the International Court of Justice, accusing the nation responsible for the deaths of 6 million Jews during the Holocaust of helping Israel commit genocide in the Gaza Strip over the past . . . READ MORE . . .